Preview — Once Upon a Flock
by Lauren Scheuer

Once Upon a Flock: Life with My Soulful Chickens

When longtime illustrator and lover of power tools Lauren Scheuer was looking for a project, she got the idea to raise backyard chickens. Her husband and teenage daughter looked on incredulously as coop sketches and chicken-raising books filled their New England home. But when the chicks arrived, the whole family fell in love with the bundles of fluff and the wild adventurWhen longtime illustrator and lover of power tools Lauren Scheuer was looking for a project, she got the idea to raise backyard chickens. Her husband and teenage daughter looked on incredulously as coop sketches and chicken-raising books filled their New England home. But when the chicks arrived, the whole family fell in love with the bundles of fluff and the wild adventures began.

Once Upon a Flock: Life with My Soulful Chickens stars Scheuer&#8217;s backyard chickens&#8212;with their big personalities, friendships, rivalries, and secrets&#8212;and the flock&#8217;s guardian, Marky the terrier. The flock includes Hatsy, the little dynamo; Lil&#8217;White, the deranged and twisted Buff Orpington; Pigeon, the fixer-upper chicken; and Lucy, the special-needs hen who bonds with Lauren and becomes a fast friend.

This charming story of Lauren&#8217;s life with her quirky flock is filled with moments of humor and heartbreak: When Lucy is afflicted with a neurological disease, Lauren builds Lucy a special-needs coop. When Lucy&#8217;s nesting instinct leads

Lauren to act as a chicken midwife of sorts, Lauren hatches a chick in her home. And when Lucy&#8217;s best friend Hatsy falls ill, Lauren finds an unlikely friend for Lucy in a chicken named Pigeon, who requires an emergency bath and blow-dry. Enthusiastically immersing herself in the world of her flock, Lauren discovers that love, loss, passion, and resilience are not only parts of the human experience, but of the chicken experience as well. Throughout it all, Lauren documents the laughter and drama of her flock&#8217;s adventures with her own whimsical photos and illustrations. At once humorous, poignant, and informative, Once Upon a Flock is a feathered tale like no other....more

Lauren Scheuer is an artist and blogger (Scratch & Peck) who decided to raise chickens after visiting a friend’s small farm – she needed a new project for the yard. She researched different breeds and designed and built her own chicken coops/enclosures and ordered her first 4 chicks – all different breeds – to arrive in the spring. Although she’d had the chicks expertly sexed before their delivery, one of them turned out to be a rooster and had to be rehomed (roosters can be a noisy nuisanceLauren Scheuer is an artist and blogger (Scratch & Peck) who decided to raise chickens after visiting a friend’s small farm – she needed a new project for the yard. She researched different breeds and designed and built her own chicken coops/enclosures and ordered her first 4 chicks – all different breeds – to arrive in the spring. Although she’d had the chicks expertly sexed before their delivery, one of them turned out to be a rooster and had to be rehomed (roosters can be a noisy nuisance). Lauren was delighted to discover that her hens each had her own personality and habits. The ladies quickly established a pecking order among themselves, but other issues arose – Lucy contracted a disease which left her weak and somewhat disabled (then she went broody), Hatsy began producing oddly-shaped eggs which caused her a great deal of pain to pass, and Lil’White could be kind of a terror – to human AND chickenkind. Lauren also had to train her terrier, Marky, to accept the chickens. Lauren’s experience with her small flock, however, has been both fascinating and delightful – despite trials and tribulations. This journal of her experiences is filled with Lauren’s photographs and illustrations (I adore her chicken drawings). It’s easy to see how much she loves her feathered friends. Fun and quick read for those considering a relationship with chickens (or for those who just want to live vicariously)....more

I just read Once Upon a Flock by Lauren Scheuer, cover to cover in about 3 hours. This book is SO GOOD! I never would have thought that chickens could have such big personalities! Complete with pictures of her fun little flock - and Marky the terrier! - this is a quick, fun read that will make you think twice before ordering chicken at a restaurant ever again :)

What a great little book! It caught my eye, of course, because it was about chickens! The author is also the illustrator and there is a great mix of drawings and photos documenting her first start into chicken keeping. Through the highs and lows of her experiences I couldn't put the book down. I finished it in about 3 hours and did not want to stop reading, but had to force myself to go to bed! This was an easy read and I am going to see if my 10 year old would like to read it before it goes bacWhat a great little book! It caught my eye, of course, because it was about chickens! The author is also the illustrator and there is a great mix of drawings and photos documenting her first start into chicken keeping. Through the highs and lows of her experiences I couldn't put the book down. I finished it in about 3 hours and did not want to stop reading, but had to force myself to go to bed! This was an easy read and I am going to see if my 10 year old would like to read it before it goes back to the library. ...more

Lauren Scheuer’s Once Upon a Flock: Life with My Soulful Chickens is a very sweet book about owning a small flock of chickens. This isn’t a how to, although anyone thinking of getting chickens is likely to find some useful information in it.

Scheuer really captures the personalities of the six chickens featured in her book. It helps that she is an illustrator who draws absolutely adorable pictures of her chickens and her family, often putting cute little drawings into photos.

Scheuer lives in MasLauren Scheuer’s Once Upon a Flock: Life with My Soulful Chickens is a very sweet book about owning a small flock of chickens. This isn’t a how to, although anyone thinking of getting chickens is likely to find some useful information in it.

Scheuer really captures the personalities of the six chickens featured in her book. It helps that she is an illustrator who draws absolutely adorable pictures of her chickens and her family, often putting cute little drawings into photos.

Scheuer lives in Massachusetts with her husband and daughter. In addition to being an illustrator, she is handy with a tool. She envies her friend Patricia: “In her yard, children frolic, sheep graze, and colorful chickens drift in and out of her garden. In Patricia’s yard, the sun shines brighter and the grass is always greener.” (p. 5) Scheuer decides to put her skill to use by making a chicken coop and buying some chicks to use it.

The text is littered with sketches. I particularly enjoyed the many creative designs for her chicken coop, including a Trojan Chicken of sorts and a chicken Taj Mahal. The author has a whimsical way with words that tickled me. She explains her reasoning for picking out the four chicken types: “Rhode Island Red and Barred Plymouth Rock originated here in the Northeast. They would know how to handle the harsh winters. My Black Australorp would glimmer in the sunshine like an iridescent beetle. And the Buff Orpington? Well, I just wanted a reason to say ‘Buff Orpington’ every day. Buff Orpington, Buff Orpington, Buff Orpington.” (p. 13)

Scheuer accidentally received a “production breed” chicken instead of her Rhode Island Red. This is a hybrid chicken designed for maximum efficiency. Hatsy lived a short but wonderful life, a dynamo of activity who was the leader of her flock in addition to the top egg producer. It made me sad to think about the horrible lives of factory chickens (although Scheuer does not write about that).

Once Upon a Flock is a quick and delightful read. If you enjoy animal stories, Once Upon a Flock will put a smile on your face....more

All backyard chicken owners -- and everyone else who has ever loved someone of another species -- will relate to Lauren Scheuer's amazing book. I haven't read any other books this woman has illustrated, but the pictures in this one are perfect and enhance the story wonderfully. She has a simple-looking style that allows the chickens to express so much while still looking like real chickens. Her photos are also great and show off how ADORABLE her flock is. The book is an easy read and has a cute,All backyard chicken owners -- and everyone else who has ever loved someone of another species -- will relate to Lauren Scheuer's amazing book. I haven't read any other books this woman has illustrated, but the pictures in this one are perfect and enhance the story wonderfully. She has a simple-looking style that allows the chickens to express so much while still looking like real chickens. Her photos are also great and show off how ADORABLE her flock is. The book is an easy read and has a cute, whimsical feel to it despite being a true story.

Now, to the actual story...I'll try not to spoil anything, but I think most people know that the book is about someone who buys some chickens. Scheuer introduces the reader to each of her chickens, immediately showing them their distinct personalities. As a chicken owner myself, I noticed from day one with my 7-chicken flock that all chickens are individuals who have a wide range of emotions. They all have different personalities ranging from sweet and to downright psychotic.

The author captures the spirit of the chicken perfectly, telling the story of her flock in a simple yet powerful way that allows the reader to get to know Lil'White, Lucy, Hatsy, and Marky as if they were characters in a fictional adventure book. She gives us a brief but beautiful glance at chicken (and dog) keeping with the ups, downs, laughs, tears, and frustration pet owners' experience.

The book itself is very short, with pictures taking up a lot of room on the page. Scheuer's writing style is simple and easy to read. I didn't mind it at all, but some people may be bothered by it. It's a quick read; a breezed through it in a matter of hours. I do wish I had it in paperback, but I stand by my decision to pay $23 for it as a good one.

Once Upon a Flock is a small, simple, and touching story. I'd recommend it to anyone who has animal friends and/or a heart capable of feeling. Definitely not just a book for crazy chicken ladies like me!...more

I totally want to hang out with Lauren Scheuer and her chickens. She is hilarious and a whole lot nicer than I am. Whereas I jailed, sentenced, and executed my murderous Buff Orpington, she carefully separated chickens who didn't like each other, rehabilitated sick chickens, and even found a way to keep a noisy rooster around.

Her photos and illustrations (she's an artist by trade), make the book even better, adding to the humor and warmth.

I especially love her coop ideas:

Her sketches of chickI totally want to hang out with Lauren Scheuer and her chickens. She is hilarious and a whole lot nicer than I am. Whereas I jailed, sentenced, and executed my murderous Buff Orpington, she carefully separated chickens who didn't like each other, rehabilitated sick chickens, and even found a way to keep a noisy rooster around.

Her photos and illustrations (she's an artist by trade), make the book even better, adding to the humor and warmth.

I especially love her coop ideas:

Her sketches of chicken breeds:

Her drawings and photos of her chicks:

And her integration of photos and sketches:

I've never read her blog, Scratch and Peck, but will start following it now, especially since it looks like it picks up after the events in the book.

Added bonus: although intended for an adult audience, this book is appropriate and appealing to my 7-year-old, who is even more of a chicken aficionado than I am. ...more

I had brought home a stack of interesting-looking books from the library and thought I'd spend a Sunday afternoon perusing them. I never got past this book; I read it cover-to-cover. It is just delightful. The author is an artist and has made a sort of picture book for grown-ups, with clever illustrations on nearly every page. I really like her method of placing her quirky little drawings on top of real photos. She lives in a rural area of Massachusetts in a beautiful setting. Apparently, whileI had brought home a stack of interesting-looking books from the library and thought I'd spend a Sunday afternoon perusing them. I never got past this book; I read it cover-to-cover. It is just delightful. The author is an artist and has made a sort of picture book for grown-ups, with clever illustrations on nearly every page. I really like her method of placing her quirky little drawings on top of real photos. She lives in a rural area of Massachusetts in a beautiful setting. Apparently, while her daughter was young, the two had many adventures with nature in this yard. Now that her daughter is a teen though, the author was feeling at loose ends. A nearby friend had chickens, so the author did some research and procured a small flock. She informs us that a proper flock is at least three hens, and that is what she acquired. She raised them from little day-old chicks to mature "girls" (as she calls them). Each bird has a name and a personality. The family terrier enters into the story line at points and the little rascal looks very much like a terrier I once had (who recently left this earth for the great doggie beyond). I was in awe of how well-trained the little fellow was. I was also in awe of the author's mechanical abilities in building her various chicken houses. This is a very enjoyable read for you animal lovers out there....more

I enjoyed this light hearted memoir of Lauren Scheuer’s backyard flock. Keeping chickens is in vogue at the moment and Lauren throws herself into providing them with a distinctive and luxurious coop, it helps that she has a penchant for both design and power tools. The family dog is a bit confused as to his role with the chirping birds in his yard. Peace is negotiated and he becomes their protector, even refusing to play with his former dog pals in the backyard where the chickens forage for tastI enjoyed this light hearted memoir of Lauren Scheuer’s backyard flock. Keeping chickens is in vogue at the moment and Lauren throws herself into providing them with a distinctive and luxurious coop, it helps that she has a penchant for both design and power tools. The family dog is a bit confused as to his role with the chirping birds in his yard. Peace is negotiated and he becomes their protector, even refusing to play with his former dog pals in the backyard where the chickens forage for tasty grubs. The chickens do their part to make the story interesting too; they each have very independent personalities. If you are in the mood for something light this is an amusing and entertaining story. ...more

What a wonderful book. I'm an animal lover, but I never realized chickens had so much personality. I got this book on a Friday night, spent most of Saturday squeezing in a chapter here and there and finished it by late Sunday morning. Now if I can only resist the urge to build a chicken coop. Someone help me if she starts raising rabbits and writes a book about them. I'll be sunk.

First book I've read in 2013 that will definitely be going on my Best Books of the Year list. So adorably cute and funny and heartbreaking - it's the best story of how chickens really are that I've been able to find. The illustrations are perfect; both the photographs and the drawings. Love, love, love this book, and I'm absolutely buying my own copy!

This book is a light breath of fresh air. It is part graphic novel, part blog, part fiction, part non-fiction but it all works together. Scheuer's writing is heavily interspersed with cartoons and photos of her flock which adds a real connection to the stories. She has lived a parallel life to me in her learning curve about chicken keeping. She seems to be almost as enraptured as I am by the flock's antics. So many of her stories are ones that I have written myself in my own blog. My only complaThis book is a light breath of fresh air. It is part graphic novel, part blog, part fiction, part non-fiction but it all works together. Scheuer's writing is heavily interspersed with cartoons and photos of her flock which adds a real connection to the stories. She has lived a parallel life to me in her learning curve about chicken keeping. She seems to be almost as enraptured as I am by the flock's antics. So many of her stories are ones that I have written myself in my own blog. My only complaint is in Scheuer's attempts to pawn off her roosters to someone else. She should read this article about taking responsibility for your flock - roos and all: http://www.nwedible.com/2013/05/you-a...Other than that, it is a pleasing little read (it will take you no longer than 3 hours to read) that provides a glimpse into the lives of us dedicated chicken lovers. Bup!...more

Illustrations are perfect! Stories are right there. If you own chickens, thinking about owning chickens and just enjoy them this book is for you. It is perfect in every way and the stories are rather endearing. Enjoyed this immensely and the best Mother's Day present ever.

With color photographs and/or illustrations on every page, colored text, semi-glossy pages and a compact size, this book is an artistic treasure. And while it seems light on text, every word is so enchanting and paints such a whimsical picture of chicken ownership (hens who are best friends! a terrier who protects the flock like a sheepdog!) that it's nothing but sheer joy from cover to cover, albeit with one sad part. I'd say it's for any age that can grasp the vocabulary.

This book also reinviWith color photographs and/or illustrations on every page, colored text, semi-glossy pages and a compact size, this book is an artistic treasure. And while it seems light on text, every word is so enchanting and paints such a whimsical picture of chicken ownership (hens who are best friends! a terrier who protects the flock like a sheepdog!) that it's nothing but sheer joy from cover to cover, albeit with one sad part. I'd say it's for any age that can grasp the vocabulary.

This book also reinvigorated my childhood dream of having pet chicken. My best friend once had a flock of Barred Rocks like Lucy, and these stories brought me back to the happy days of having a plump hen slowly nod off to sleep in your lap like a cat if you petted her long enough....more

I read this book after taking home some chicks that hatched at my library. We had one with splayed legs and I couldn't bear to send him and his friends back to the farm. I found this book sitting on the shelf just a few days later, and knew I had to read it!I could definitely relate, especially because I also have a small terrier who is overly interested in the chickens. It was great to read the perspective of someone else who didn't have much chicken experience and see that we've experienced soI read this book after taking home some chicks that hatched at my library. We had one with splayed legs and I couldn't bear to send him and his friends back to the farm. I found this book sitting on the shelf just a few days later, and knew I had to read it!I could definitely relate, especially because I also have a small terrier who is overly interested in the chickens. It was great to read the perspective of someone else who didn't have much chicken experience and see that we've experienced some of the same worries. And the illustrations in this book are some of the cutest things I have ever seen. It's amazing how loving chickens can be and I would definitely recommend books to anyone whether they have chickens or not!...more

Really delightful. I learned a lot about chickens -- and life in rural Massachusetts. Such a different world from my own: snowy winters. The self-sufficiency needed to build chicken coops and come up with solutions for problems of severe weather and predators in the woods. I learned that one can train a dog NOT to eat small chicken dinners on legs. I love the combination of sketches by the author (who is an artist in her "day job") and photos of the little chicks, of the one who gets a cripplingReally delightful. I learned a lot about chickens -- and life in rural Massachusetts. Such a different world from my own: snowy winters. The self-sufficiency needed to build chicken coops and come up with solutions for problems of severe weather and predators in the woods. I learned that one can train a dog NOT to eat small chicken dinners on legs. I love the combination of sketches by the author (who is an artist in her "day job") and photos of the little chicks, of the one who gets a crippling disease and needs a wheelchair, and the one who gets broody and sits on eggs to hatch her own chicks....more

This was a super quick, fun read. In the first few pages, I worried that Scheuer would annoy me-- she has a tendency to want to point out her own zaniness, which rubs me the wrong way. But she quickly moved past that in her efforts to just tell you about the zaniness of her chickens, and then she had me. This made me excited to get my own chickens some day. And double-bonus, her illustrations really are charming. Almost as charming as her chickens!

Just plain laugh out loud fun. If you're a city person and don't own chickens, if you're a chicken owning wannabe or if you have a whole flock, this is absolutely just plain fun. Laugh-out-loud-at-l a.m.-because-you-don't-want-to-stop-reading-this fun. Your children would love reading this. Your mother would love reading this. Your reluctant reader would love reading this. For pete's sake, even vegetarians would love reading this!

BakingSuit "I especially loved how this was a great balance of nature and feelings weaving the facts of what was into Scheuer’s thoughts." Grade: A

Gigi "If you are thinking about getting chickens (or just interested in them in any way), I would get this book. It is not a how-to book but it paints a very good picture of what your life will be like." Grade: A

On one level this was a delightful, light and easy read. On another level it asks how we can live peacefully and happily with each other and with the animals of this world even if it is not in our nature to live peacefully or happily.The illustrations are a kick.

An adorably illustrated story about the author's first foray into keeping chickens, Once Upon a Flock is a great quick read. The story is diverting and fun to follow, and the illustrations keep the narrative moving along nicely.

This was a very quick & entertaining read. I finished it in a mere day, even though I was busy at the time. I don't know what 'kind' of person you have to be to enjoy this book. I am interested in backyard chickens, so that is what drew me to it. I think if you are an animal lover, you might like it. If you were in the mood for a fun, quick summer read you might like it. I gave it to my 12-year old to read as soon as I finished... I think she will like it. I will also recommend it to my 20-yThis was a very quick & entertaining read. I finished it in a mere day, even though I was busy at the time. I don't know what 'kind' of person you have to be to enjoy this book. I am interested in backyard chickens, so that is what drew me to it. I think if you are an animal lover, you might like it. If you were in the mood for a fun, quick summer read you might like it. I gave it to my 12-year old to read as soon as I finished... I think she will like it. I will also recommend it to my 20-year old. ;)The author is an illustrator & there are cute illustrations she has drawn in amongst the writing, plus photos of her 'flock' along the way as well. All very cute.Summary: a fun read (plus fairly informative). :)...more

I read this in a day because I couldn't put it down. I laughed, I cried, I wanted backyard chickens more than ever. :) this book is charming & beautifully illustrated. It's one of the best books I've read this year.